Thank you very much for the previous comment. It made my day. I get told that alot that I look like Rachael Bilson. Its funny I have a picture of her on my frigde as my motivation.. of what I could maybe look like. I am so pumped latley that today even though it is not one of my designated gym days I am going. I love it. I am seeing a transformation in so many areas. My face - maybe you can tell by my new profile pic is slimmer my double chin is slowly fading. My shoulders are more defined. My skin is clearer then it has been in so long. I love this feeling. Today will be day 5 this week of going to the gym. I have also bought a cute lil turquise journal that I am using to write my food in- small enough to fit in my purse and I fill it in on the bus on the way to and from work. My mind has changed so much in the last few weeks. I feel more outgoing, happy and energetic. I love getting dressed up and going out with my boyfriend. I am getting my confidence back and with support from all of you I feel motivated everytime I read your posts. My weight is still at 194 - 195 ish. I have been doing about 30 mins of weight training - circuit hard traning 4 times a week. I think I am puttting on muscle!! So the number isnt as big of deal right now. I have made it a goal before my 22nd bday Aprl 29 I want to be at 190. 4lbs? I think I can do it! Small goals is my focus... Hope everyone else is on track. What keeps me motivated is the cute clothes in all the stores for summer. right now I wear a either 15 or 13. So come regular stores dont have pants that fit me... Anyway I am off to the gym inspired and energetic!

Oh I forgot theese... Here are some recent pictures. Let me know if you see a diffrence from my orginal posted pics!

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You look great, it's a big difference...

hey glad to see you are doing well! prolly want to skip the weight training and do more cardio weightlifting really isnt going to do much for weight loss!

Wondering why it is not good to lift weights? I have done some research and I thought that it is reccomended for people to lift weights while they are trying to lose weight as eventually you will build up your muscle mass and increase the amount of calories you are able to burn in a day. As well I have read and heard that if you just do cardio you will lose muscle mass..... ??? Well anywho, I am really enjoying seeing the changes that are happening with the weight training. I am not going crazy with the weights just about 30 mins a day circuit machine training and 15 minutes pilates and abs work out. Is my information incorrect or could you please provide me with some understanding? Thanks Burneed!

Weight lifting is good for weight loss...

Anyways! I am still doing great with my diet and execersize plan! Went to the gym last night and then a friend called and wanted to have dinner. Hadn't seen her forever so I shortened my work out by 15 mins and met her for dinner at east side marios. had a small garden salad and then a lifestyles choice item - whole wheat penne with light alfredo sauce. Smaller portion and was just right! And guess what was not even tempted my desssert!!! Peanut butter crunch something or other.. okay I was tempted but I stook my ground and felt good about it. Soda water w/ lemon and lime to drink. One of my friends said " wow your really serious about this health thing arent you " ( as I am writing in my food journal details of our dinner ) I just said Yes, and I am enjoying it. Plus I dont have a choice anymore.... No gym tonight me and the boyfriends night together ( he gets weird times and days off) so its some laundry and who knows maybe I can convince him to go for a walk??? Hmm... if not ill do it by myself!! Its funny I am actually sad I am not going to the gym tonight. I really want to go! My abs are killer right now sooo sore so I guess I need a day to heal! How is everyone else out here doing?
Any helpful hints or suggesstions?
Manda

I have kept myself on track and kept my mind focused on my goal and it is paying off.
I am still loving my gym workouts I love the way I feel after each one. Last 2 weeks I have up'd my workouts to 5 days a week, as well I have been doing some weights and abs at home. I think I am addicted.
I got some great advice from my sisters girlfriend ( yes she is gay) that is a personal trainer and I feel like I have more knowledge now on what to eat.
Went out to dinner at EARLS and made a smart choice. !!! Soda water w/ lemon and a roasted chicken dinner ( double chicken breast 6 sm. baby potatoes and 5 aspargus) I ate half of it and boxed the rest of it up. And I realiazed I wasnt hungry after and I didnt feel grossly full.
Got myself into this shirt I bought 6 months ago that is beautiful. The zipper did up! but it is tight it is really motivating!!!
I love the way my body is looking with all the changes!!
I LOST 1 1/2 POUNDS FROM LAST WEEK! Yay!1
Okay off to the gym! Hope everyone is doing great!!!
Amanda

I have been doing this pretty much all on my own which makes it harder but at the same time I feel like this time – If I do not reach my goals I am letting myself down. I am not going to let that happen. There will not be another summer with me hiding behind all my good looking friends! I will be one of them!
My sister and parents are coming to visit on May 2nd. I want them to notice a difference. Me and my sister have always been completive about our weights. I actually hope I inspire her a little to make better choices.
Have made some pretty big accomplishments in the last few weeks!
I have kept myself motivated and on track and have written down everything I have been eating since April 4th. I have had to make some hard decisions and chose healthier alternatives on weekends. My boyfriend loves pizza… so do I .. we actually met at a pizza place so it is in our blood to have pizza together. I had to tell him no – well what I said is.. Honestly baby you can go ahead but I would rather not have it in the house because I fear I may not be strong enough to say no. He was really good about it. I wanted to eat that pizza believe me I did but it is just not worth 1500 cal or more for a slice or 2. I also struggle with the 3pm cravings… you know for choclate, or something bad for me. I have to admit on Sunday I ate 3 lindt truffles, and the rest of the day I felt gross. I remember feeling like that all the time binging makes me feel puffy and tired.!!!
Yesterday ( Monday) I did not go to the gym and I feel so fat today. … I did end up doing 20 mins of Ab work on a matt in front of the T.V but nothing like the workout I get from my 1hr and 30 min workouts. This week is busy! There is a huge UFC fight on Saturday and we are hosting a BBQ and Poker party. I am sure I will be over calories that day and wont be able to make it to the gym sat or sun. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday it is… Wish I could go 5 times this week to make it 4 weeks in a row I have gone 5 times a week.
No one has been commenting on my posts! I need some support here everyone… I am down 5lbs( says the scale) It looks like more to me but I feel big differences in my shoulders and arms.. I will take some pics this weekend.

I have been doing this pretty much all on my own which makes it harder but at the same time I feel like this time – If I do not reach my goals I am letting myself down. I am not going to let that happen. There will not be another summer with me hiding behind all my good looking friends! I will be one of them!
My sister and parents are coming to visit on May 2nd. I want them to notice a difference. Me and my sister have always been completive about our weights. I actually hope I inspire her a little to make better choices.
Have made some pretty big accomplishments in the last few weeks!
I have kept myself motivated and on track and have written down everything I have been eating since April 4th. I have had to make some hard decisions and chose healthier alternatives on weekends. My boyfriend loves pizza… so do I .. we actually met at a pizza place so it is in our blood to have pizza together. I had to tell him no – well what I said is.. Honestly baby you can go ahead but I would rather not have it in the house because I fear I may not be strong enough to say no. He was really good about it. I wanted to eat that pizza believe me I did but it is just not worth 1500 cal or more for a slice or 2. I also struggle with the 3pm cravings… you know for choclate, or something bad for me. I have to admit on Sunday I ate 3 lindt truffles, and the rest of the day I felt gross. I remember feeling like that all the time binging makes me feel puffy and tired.!!!
Yesterday ( Monday) I did not go to the gym and I feel so fat today. … I did end up doing 20 mins of Ab work on a matt in front of the T.V but nothing like the workout I get from my 1hr and 30 min workouts. This week is busy! There is a huge UFC fight on Saturday and we are hosting a BBQ and Poker party. I am sure I will be over calories that day and wont be able to make it to the gym sat or sun. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday it is… Wish I could go 5 times this week to make it 4 weeks in a row I have gone 5 times a week.
No one has been commenting on my posts! I need some support here everyone… I am down 5lbs( says the scale) It looks like more to me but I feel big differences in my shoulders and arms.. I will take some pics this weekend.

Starting Weight 199 - 200 ish
Current weight : 194 ish..
Slowly but surely. ...
Amanda

Slowly but surely is the way to go Amanda!
You do look like Rachel Bilson, and to be honest it would do her no harm to be a bit bigger... not huge you know, but she does look awfully skinny and it must be difficult to be compared to someone who has like 2% bodyfat!
I look (according to my blind boyfriend) like Scarlett Johannsson, which is great because she is slim but not a stick! I would love to have her body actually!
My friend (ex and again friend... oh well) she craves to be eency wincy tiny... however I don't. I think at 120 I will still look normal, like I do eat sometimes!

My chest is also large, but since losing the 15 pounds I have gone down 2 bra sizes!! From DD to C cup! Maybe you are also able to do this and then you would not need surgery!
The "girls" as I call them, are a bit flaccid now that they aren't full, I gotta say, and I am working on them with body butter and stuff, but I am afraid they may never be as perky as they used to be! The skin is just too stretched! I would like to stay a c cup, but I am going to guess that I will lose at least 1 more cup size until my goal.

How about getting a ticker? It makes me feel extragood when I can go and put new (lower) numbers in my ticker! I always weigh in on sunday morning, so sunday is my ticker day!!
Anyhow you seem to be doing brilliantly, I wish I could get my bum to the gym as often as you did (at least in the beginning).
Also, why don't you make your own pizza? We do, it is great fun to make it together (I can't have real pizza's because I have a disease in my intestines which doesn't allow me to have gluten), you make the dough, use all fresh ingredients and bake it in your oven and you will be able to have a slice or two! They are not that bad for you, when you make them yourself! And you can have all those ingredients that you always wished on them!
Actually maybe sunday I will make one... fancy a pizza with artichokes and ham on it... and olives... yum!
Have a great day, Camy

hey amanda!!!!

I see u have been lacking a little in the support department but never fear i am here. and man oh man am i addicted to these forums!!!!!!!! and therefore if you so wish i will become addicted to your diary!!!!!!!!!

its so sweet that u have such a lovely boyfriend. he seems very sweet

I hope yr weight loss is still going well. yr pictures seem to reflect your changes very well

lots of skinny wishes..
mel

It feels so good to have people cheering me on!
Here are my feelings today. I feel fairly confident and every day a little more so! I am wearing stilettos and skirts and pretty colors like never before. I like to get dressed up all the time – I love the changes I am seeing! It is addicting and empowering to know and truly understand that we have the abilities to change the way we are perceived by others and also to change the way we perceive are ourselves. I find that the effect it is having on my attitude is emmense. I also find that I paint my nails more often; I shave my legs every time I shower… I have been flossing more often, brushing more often. I just feel better! I am going to the gym tonight; it is my new hang out spot! Lately I have been doing 10 minutes incline walking, 13 minutes stair mill and 17 – 20 mins elliptical. Then I do a circuit of about 10 machines,12 reps of each machine. I have been ncreasing my weights by 5 % at least once a week. Then I go to the matt and do my ab work out.
10 leg lifts both at same time from floor to 90 degrees – hands behind head.
10 Medicine ball ( 8lb) crunches – Ten Kayaks ( Medicine ball from side to side legs elevated arms elevated) and repeat til I can’t do anymore!

The workouts I think I have them down… its my diet that I am struggling with. A regular day for me starts out like this….
Wake up: 5:45
Breakfast 6:15 Either slim fast w/ 1% Milk or Whle Wheat Eng Muffin w/ becel
Snack 10:30am - 1 Piece of fruit Orange or Banana
Lunch 1PM: Lean Cuisine Meal
P.M Snack: Fibre Source granola Bar – 130 cals – 1.5fat – 5 fibre- 6 protien – 13 sugar
3:30 PM Another piece of fruit – Apple usually.
Dinner 7:30 – 8PM Various – Usually so hungry that I could eat my arm by the time I get home.
Treat: Some where in the day I allow for a 150 cal treat…

This is where I am struggling. I don’t know if I am eating to much, not enough… I am working out 6-7 hours a week. ….

Can anyone help I am hungry almost all day – I just don’t want to ruin my efforts by eating to much….

Testing to see if ticker is working??

Ticker... come on.. work this time